Lecture Series: Gender Sensitization

Youth is the prime focus of any nation to bring the attitudinal change in the society. Thus, there is a need to sensitize both young men and women as far as gender issues are concerned. They should be aware of their fundamentals rights and also need to understand moral and ethical aspects so as to coexist peacefully and with dignity. Keeping this thing in mind ,the Centre has initiated Lecture Series on “Gender Sensitization” for the students of various University Departments, Constituted Colleges, Affiliated Colleges and University Girls Hostels. In this lecture series students will be sensitized about their constitutional and natural rights and will be guided to improve their pattern of thinking and behaivour. Dr.Jaspal Singh, V.C., Punjabi University, Patiala formally inaugurated the series at Punjabi University College of Engineering. He said that it is the need of the hour to sensitize both the genders as one can't be a by-sider and other a participant but both should be equal partner to this process of change.

Workshop on "Improving Cervical Health in the Community"

A workshop was organized on the theme “Improving Cervical Health in the Community” at Mata Gujri Hostel for Girls of University Campus on 30 August 2016. It was conducted by Dr. Rosy Chhabra, Assistant Professor, Prevention Intervention Research Centre Albert Einstein, New York, USA. She said that HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is the primary cause of cervical cancer in women worldwide and primary prevention of cervical cancer can possibly involve a risk reduction approach through behavioral intervention for health seeking behaviour i.e immunization and cervical screening. The workshop focused on the causes, symptoms and screening of cervical cancer. Dr. Rosy trained the women (Young girls) to become Health Advocates, that is to become peer educators to women in their own social network and communities. About 50 girls and women participated in this educational workshop. All the participants were awarded a certificate on the completion of the workshop. Dr. Ravneet Kaur , Associate Professor introduced the theme of the workshop. Dr. Ritu lehal, Director of Women's Studies Centre, formally welcomed the guest speaker and honoured her with Phulkari. Dr. Naina Sharma, Dr. Sumanpreet Kaur, Mrs. Neena Sekhon, all senior warden and wardens of girls' hostels were present on the occasion.

A War Begins After its End : A Case Study of Military Personnel Widows

The proliferation of armed conflicts and the high levels of military and civilian casualties since independence (1947) have resulted in a large number of army personnel widows. Widowhood often changes the social and economic roles of women however its impact differs according to culture and religion. Widowhood can affect the physical safety, identity and mobility of women and children. It can also affect their access to basic goods and services necessary for survival, and their rights to inheritance, land and property. In patriarchal societies women can be left entirely without social status when they lose their husbands. These women become socially and psychologically a vulnerable group. These widows face a number of mental health problems. They have suffered bereavement as a result of the violent deaths of their husbands and these traumatic memories hound them for many years.

Gender Sensitization workshop for UT-Police

As a part of ongoing series of Gender Sensitization, Women’s Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala sensitized around 200 police personnel of Union Territory of Chandigarh focusing on Women specific issues. (October-26-2016)

Dr. Ritu Lehal, Director of the Women’s Studies Centre along with her colleague , Dr. Ravneet Kaur, conducted 4 sessions at Recruitment Training Centre of Chandigarh Police, Sector 26. Dr. Lehal accounting for the police direct dealing with public, first talked about the importance of sensitizing them. She said, “Its an indication of a civilized society when females can have an easy access to Police without any fear in their minds. Any job which is related to use of authority and power, a person needs to have a sensitive and responsible attitude to handle the situation effectively. She further suggested that police is responsible for effective implementation of law, it becomes their duty to come foreword to bridge the gap between police and public.

Dr. Ravneet also stated that police will have to adopt a sensitive approach in dealing with female victims, Female criminals even, female colleagues. Overall in the guidance of Ms. Jaswinder Kaur, Chief Law Inspector, It was a very interactive and fruitful workshop. Participants also shared their views openly.

Gender Sensitization of Police Personnel

In order to sensitize the training group of hundreds of Punjab Police sub inspectors on gender issues, Women's Study Center of Punjabi University was invited by Punjab Police Academy Phillaur on 26th August 2016. Dr Ritu Lehal, Director Women's Study Centre, Punjabi University Patiala, organised the said workshop with her colleague Dr Ravneet Kaur Associate Professor, Dept of Distance Education, Punjabi University Patiala. Dr. Lehal informed that as per the general opinion, the attitude of majority of male police personnel is not positive and rather un appreciable towards females. She stressed that the need of the hour is to make police personnel behave in a gender sensitive manner and that they must understand the true spirit of the concept of gender. Discussing further she stated that A police person is related to gender issues in many ways, be it his attitude towards women in general, in society and in families or attitude towards female victims, female colleagues or female Prisoners etc. She added that the wide gap between a common person and police needs to be narrowed down in a civilized society. Police bearing the responsibility of effective implementation of law and order need to ensure a congenial environment for females so that in case any complaint of harassment or violence has to be made they may contact police in the hope of Justice and Without any fear.

During the workshop many police personnel also shared their routine problems in discharging their duties. Overall this workshop resulted in fruitful discussions to improve the behaviour of police towards women, particularly stressing upon the minimum desirable behaviour.

ADGP- HR, Mr B K Uppal along with Deputy Director Ms Nilambri also paid a visit in the workshop. Mr Haroon Khan, Ms Alka and Mr Inderjeet from Punjab Police Academy were involved in organising this workshop. Dr Ritu Lehal further added that the Women's Study Centre looks forward to collaborating with Punjab Police Academy for gender sensitization workshops in future as well.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao CD Launch

On 15th September, 2016, Patiala District Administration, in collaboration with Punjabi University, Patiala, under the aegis of Women's Studies Centre, of the University, has initiated a special awareness programme for a campaign of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”. A DVD has been prepared by the University to sensitize the rural masses about the importance of education and health issues of the female child. In the villages, there is a strong preference for a male child and the female health of the female child is generally neglected. Women's Studies Centre has been working diligently on social causes for the upliftment of the women.

Dr. Ritu Lehal , Director, Women's Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patialal, in collaboration with the Department of Theater and Television, Centre for Adavnce Media Studies and Department of youth welfare has developed audio visual content to highlight the issues of education, health and nutrition of girl child. She furthure added that athat awareness will be created through a Song and short Play like, “Main Judge Banangi”.

This campaign aims to create awareness about the grave consequences of illiteracy of girls. Mrs. Aneetapreeet, DPO has volunteered to hire a van which will deliver short messages by the Deputy Commissioner, Patiala and Vice-Chencellor, Punjabi Universtiy at the doorsteps of the rural people, especially in those villages where Sex-Ratio is adverse, in a total target of 100 villages. In the function organised at Kala Bhawan teh DVD was handed over to DC, Patiala and his team by the Vice Chancellor of the University.

Health Lecture Series: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

On Sep. 12-2016, Women's Studies Centre and Dean Student Welfare Office, Punjabi University, Patiala in collaboration with Cipla organized lecture on 'Basics of Menstruation and PSOS' for girl students of various streams residing in the University hostels. This was one of the lectures held under DIVA lecture series on “Girl Power to Women Strength”. Dr. Khushpreet Kaur, renowned gynecologist from Rajindra Govt. Medical College, Patiala was the resource person. She discussed in detail the menstruation cycle and threw light on various problems often faced by the girls. She provided suggestions to overcome these problems and also stressed on maintaining hygiene during the menstrual period. She discussed through case studies the problems of Polytheistic Ovarian Syndrome, Acne- cosmetic problems, infertility. She emphasized on life style regulation through personal care and management of PCOS through medical prescriptions. She also provided tips for healthy diet.